--- title: Opening, part 41 — Russian Folk-Tales · full text with trees description: Opening, part 41, «Russian Folk-Tales» by A. N. Afanas'ev: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: _The Swan Maiden. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/41/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Russian Folk-Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/) / Opening, part 41 # Opening, part 41 Opening, part 41 of «Russian Folk-Tales» by A. N. Afanas'ev: the whole text, 265 sentences and 1421 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. \_The Swan Maiden.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ This is one of the most baffling figures in Russian mythology.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") She corresponds to the Siren of Greece, and the Lorelei of Germany, but is very distinct in all her characteristics.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") She is also called in the Russian Devítsa (maiden), which may be a corruption of Dívitsa, the feminine of \_Div\_, one of the ancient pagan deities of Russia.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Like the Lorelei, she is said to sit on the rocks and draw sailors down into the depths, but her more human characteristics are stated in this story.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Thoughtless Word.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The devil in this story is the popular myth of the water-gods or sprites, elsewhere called the \_vodyanóy\_ or \_vódyánik\_.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The point of detail, that after the rescue of the maiden the boy has to walk backwards until he reaches the high road, is rather similar to the Celtic notion of Widdershins, the superstition that anyone who walked round the churchyard contrary to the direction of the sun would be captured by the fairies.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Túgarin Zmyéyevich.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Túgarin Zmyéyevich, the strong man, the Serpent’s Son.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Vazúza and Vólga.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Similar stories are told of other rivers.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") The old Russian ballads give names and patronymics to their rivers such as the people use for themselves, e.g. Dněpr Slovútich Don Iványch.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The Vazúza is a short stream crossing the borders of the provinces of Tver and Smolensk, meeting a great bend of the Vólga at Zubtsóv (in the province of Tver).[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The Sea of Khvalýnsk is the Caspian, so called from an ancient people (the Khvalísi) of the eleventh and tenth centuries, who lived at the mouth of the Vólga in the Caspian.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") There is also a town called Khvalýnsk on the Vólga in the province of Sarátov, above the city of Sarátov.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") This particular story is probably a poetization of a geographical fact, but in all the Russian folk-lore the river-gods play a very great part.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus Igor in The Word of Igor’s Armament, on the occasion of his defeat, has a very beautiful colloquy with the Donéts.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") At least two of the heroes of the ballad cycle, Don Ivánovich and Sukhán Odikhmántevich, are in some aspects direct personifications of the rivers, whilst the river-gods exercise a direct and vital influence over the fortunes of several others, such as Vasíli Buslávich and Dobrýnya Nikítich.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Many Russian rivers have been rendered almost into human characters.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") The ordinary speech is still of Mother Vólga.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") In the Nóvgorod ballads there is a mention of Father Volkhov, much as we speak of Father Thames, and there were very great possibilities of the development of a river mythology which did not succeed.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") It is worth observing that in one ballad dealing with Vasíli Buslávich, the hero of Nóvgorod, this semi-comic figure is twitted by the men of Nóvgorod that he will one day turn the Volkhov into \_Kvas\_ (q.v.): i.e. he will one day set the Thames on fire.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") \[Rybnikov, I, 336\].[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") \_The Wood Sprite.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ \_Léshi\_ is a peculiar feature in Russian folk-lore.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") He is somewhat similar to Pan, but is also represented as having copper arms, and an iron body, terms which refer to colour rather than to material.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Sometimes he has claws for hands.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Yagá-Búra.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ This is the same as Bába Yagá, but is specific reference to the Witch who raises the Wind.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") GLOSSARY[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Aspen.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Always associated with magic.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Its trembling leaves give it a weird appearance.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Bába Yagá.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Russian witch, also Yagá-Búra.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Bábushka.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The grandmother.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Bárkhat.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ This word also means velvet.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Bátyushka.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Father in a general sense, meaning anybody older.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Otéts\_ is father, meaning the relationship of father and son.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Birds’ milk.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The Russian folk-tale expression for asking for the moon.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Boyárs.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ This may be translated earls, but in the Russian social scale it only meant the bigger men, the seigneurs.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Boyárynyi.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Countesses, feminine plural of \_boyár\_.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Chúdo-Yúda.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The Old Man of the Sea.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") This is a very clear loan from the Homeric Proteus.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Dyádka.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Uncle.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") A term of respect.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Egórushko Zalyót.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Means George the Bold Flier.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Fatá.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A long silken glove.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Gúsli.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A musical instrument, something like a zither with seven strings.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Iváshko Zapéchnik.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Iván, who is always sitting behind the stove.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Iváshechko.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A diminutive form of Iván.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Iváshko.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A diminutive form of Iván.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Izbá.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Hut.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Kaftán.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A peasant’s overcoat, made very long.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Khvalýnsk.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The old name of the Caspian.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Vide\_ Vazúza and Vólga.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Korolévich.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ King’s son.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Koról, king.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Korolévna.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ King’s wife.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Ksálavy.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Mythical birds, the meaning of which is entirely unknown.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Mikháilo Ivánovich.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The popular name for the bear.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Mísha Kosolápy.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Dmítri, the Bandy-legged.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Morévna.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Of the sea.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Nikíta.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ From the Greek Νικήτης, conquer.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Pope.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Village priest.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Pud.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A Russian weight.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") Thirty-six pounds avoirdupois.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Sarafán.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A short sleeveless jacket, generally embroidered, worn over the bodice or the blouse.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Sazhén.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A length of seven feet.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Sebézh.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A city in the Vítebsk province, bordering on Poland.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") The Poles and the Mussulmen are all called infidels, Saracens or \_Busormany\_.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Shúba.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A fur mantle.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Stárosta.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Mayor of a town.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Teléga.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A peasant’s cart without springs.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Tsarévich.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Tsar’s son.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Tyátya.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Daddy.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Tzarévna.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Tsar’s wife.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Ukaz.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Imperial edict.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Ványa.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ A diminutive form of Iván.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Vertodúb.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The oak-turner, a gigantic figure.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Vertogór.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ The mountain-turner; a gigantic figure.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Vóron Vóronovich.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ Crow Crowson.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Zamorýshek.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") \_ This name is freely translated Benjamin, the last-born son of an old man.[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 1:[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 2:[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[129](129/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 3:[130](130/ "tree and pragmatics") The Mayor.[131](131/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 4:[132](132/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[133](133/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 5:[134](134/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[135](135/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 6:[136](136/ "tree and pragmatics") Ten kopeks.[137](137/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 7:[138](138/ "tree and pragmatics") Fur mantle.[139](139/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 8:[140](140/ "tree and pragmatics") Grandmother.[141](141/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 9:[142](142/ "tree and pragmatics") Another variant, “the Fearsome Swan.”[143](143/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 10:[144](144/ "tree and pragmatics") Little Father.[145](145/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 11:[146](146/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[147](147/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 12:[148](148/ "tree and pragmatics") This is a simple instance of the \_prískazka\_ or preface to a story.[149](149/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 13:[150](150/ "tree and pragmatics") A \_sazhén\_ is seven feet.[151](151/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 14:[152](152/ "tree and pragmatics") Benjamin.[153](153/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 15:[154](154/ "tree and pragmatics") Father.[155](155/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 16:[156](156/ "tree and pragmatics") The Devil in this story is the popular myth of the water-god or spirit, The Vodyanóy.[157](157/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 17:[158](158/ "tree and pragmatics") Countesses.[159](159/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 18:[160](160/ "tree and pragmatics") Village priest.[161](161/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 19:[162](162/ "tree and pragmatics") Death is feminine in Russian.[163](163/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 20:[164](164/ "tree and pragmatics") Ilyá Múromets is one of the heroes of the \_Byliny\_: his great feat is the slaying of the Nightingale Robber.[165](165/ "tree and pragmatics") This tale may be eponymous of geography; Svyatogór (\_Svyáty Góry\_, Sacred Mountains) Múrom is on the river Oka, in the Province of Vladímir, one of the oldest cities in Russia; the village of Karachárovo is not far off.[166](166/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 21:[167](167/ "tree and pragmatics") Affectionate term for old servant, equivalent to uncle.[168](168/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 22:[169](169/ "tree and pragmatics") The word means velvet.[170](170/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 23:[171](171/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[172](172/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 24:[173](173/ "tree and pragmatics") Cf.[174](174/ "tree and pragmatics") Dante, \_Inf.[175](175/ "tree and pragmatics") Fitti nel limo dicon; ‘Tristi fummo.[176](176/ "tree and pragmatics") Nel dolce mondo che dal sol s’allegra....[177](177/ "tree and pragmatics") Or c’attristiam’ nella belletta negra.[178](178/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 25:[179](179/ "tree and pragmatics") This is a prose version of a \_bylína\_: Alyósha Popóvich is one of the Kíev cycle.[180](180/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 26:[181](181/ "tree and pragmatics") The strong man, the Serpent’s son.[182](182/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 27:[183](183/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[184](184/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 28:[185](185/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Koról’\_ king: hence princess.[186](186/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 29:[187](187/ "tree and pragmatics") I have taken this story as it stands.[188](188/ "tree and pragmatics") There are obvious gaps I have not ventured to fill up.[189](189/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 30:[190](190/ "tree and pragmatics") A mythical city, very probably derived from Θύλε.[191](191/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 31:[192](192/ "tree and pragmatics") Earls.[193](193/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 32:[194](194/ "tree and pragmatics") Diminutive of Iván; so too Ványa.[195](195/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 33:[196](196/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[197](197/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 34:[198](198/ "tree and pragmatics") A bold flier.[199](199/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 35:[200](200/ "tree and pragmatics") Bandy-legged.[201](201/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 36:[202](202/ "tree and pragmatics") Sitting behind the stove.[203](203/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 37:[204](204/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Ídolishche\_, i.e. Big idol.[205](205/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 38:[206](206/ "tree and pragmatics") Θεόφιλος.[207](207/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 39:[208](208/ "tree and pragmatics") An equivalent to the Bába Yagá.[209](209/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 40:[210](210/ "tree and pragmatics") Father.[211](211/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 41:[212](212/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[213](213/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 42:[214](214/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[215](215/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 43:[216](216/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[217](217/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 44:[218](218/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[219](219/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 45:[220](220/ "tree and pragmatics") A mock patronymic for the Bull.[221](221/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 46:[222](222/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[223](223/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 47:[224](224/ "tree and pragmatics") \_v.\_ note to p. 125.[225](225/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 48:[226](226/ "tree and pragmatics") A great forest in Central Russia, once impenetrable and always legendary.[227](227/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 49:[228](228/ "tree and pragmatics") Grandmother.[229](229/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 50:[230](230/ "tree and pragmatics") Father.[231](231/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 51:[232](232/ "tree and pragmatics") Father.[233](233/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 52:[234](234/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[235](235/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 53:[236](236/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[237](237/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 54:[238](238/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[239](239/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 55:[240](240/ "tree and pragmatics") Shovels are used to insert loaves and pots deep into the oven.[241](241/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 56:[242](242/ "tree and pragmatics") “\_n\_” and “\_k\_” to be sounded distinct as in \_pin-case\_.[243](243/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 57:[244](244/ "tree and pragmatics") Uncle: term of affection.[245](245/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 58:[246](246/ "tree and pragmatics") Princesses.[247](247/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 59:[248](248/ "tree and pragmatics") Earls.[249](249/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnote 60:[250](250/ "tree and pragmatics") Hut.[251](251/ "tree and pragmatics") PRINTED BY WM.[252](252/ "tree and pragmatics") BRENDON AND SON, LTD. PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND[253](253/ "tree and pragmatics") TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES[254](254/ "tree and pragmatics") 1.[255](255/ "tree and pragmatics") P. 168, changed “And Alyósha set out into the open field.[256](256/ "tree and pragmatics") And Alyósha set out into the open field” to “And Alyósha set out into the open field”.[257](257/ "tree and pragmatics") 2.[258](258/ "tree and pragmatics") Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.[259](259/ "tree and pragmatics") 3.[260](260/ "tree and pragmatics") Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed.[261](261/ "tree and pragmatics") 4.[262](262/ "tree and pragmatics") Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together at the end of the last chapter.[263](263/ "tree and pragmatics") 5.[264](264/ "tree and pragmatics") Enclosed italics font in \_underscores\_.[265](265/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Opening, part 40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/40/) - ↑ back to [Russian Folk-Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/)